PhrasesHub

Elbow grease

    Definitions

      • hard work or effort
        Used to describe the physical effort required to complete a task or achieve a goal, often in a humorous or exaggerated manner.

      • determination or perseverance
        Referring to the mental and emotional effort needed to overcome challenges or obstacles in order to succeed.

      • the use of physical strength or force
        Used to emphasize the need for using physical labor or strength, rather than relying solely on tools or technology.

    Examples of Elbow grease

    • The old car required a lot of elbow grease to get it running again.

      Elbow grease is an idiom that refers to hard work and effort. In this example, it's used to describe the amount of effort required to fix the old car.

    • After a long day at work, I didn't have the elbow grease to cook dinner.

      In this example, elbow grease is used to describe the amount of energy or effort required to do something. Here, it's used to explain why the person didn't have the energy to cook dinner after a long day at work.

    • The project required a lot of elbow grease, but we were able to complete it on time.

      In this example, elbow grease is used to describe the amount of hard work and effort required to complete the project.

    • The car needed a good scrubbing, but I didn't have the elbow grease to do it myself.

      In this example, elbow grease is used to describe the amount of effort required to clean the car.

    • The old house required a lot of elbow grease to restore it to its former glory.

      In this example, elbow grease is used to describe the amount of effort required to restore the old house to its former glory.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "elbow grease" is typically used to describe the amount of effort or work needed to accomplish a task. It can refer to both physical and mental exertion, and is often used in a playful or exaggerated way to emphasize the hard work required. It can also be used to suggest using physical strength or force, rather than relying on tools or technology.

    Origin of "Elbow grease"

    The origin of the idiom "elbow grease" is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the 17th century. The word "elbow" is used to describe the joint that connects the arm to the hand, and "grease" refers to an oily or slippery substance used to reduce friction. Therefore, "elbow grease" may have originally been used to describe the physical effort required to grease or lubricate machinery.

    Over time, the term evolved to refer to any type of physical effort or hard work. It is often used in a humorous or lighthearted way, as a way to acknowledge and appreciate the effort put into a task. In some cases, it may also be used sarcastically to suggest that a task requires more effort than it should.

    One possible origin story for this idiom is that it was used by sailors to describe the hard work of scrubbing the ship's decks with their elbows, as they would often have to get on their hands and knees to reach all areas. Regardless of its exact origin, "elbow grease" remains a popular idiom used to describe hard work and determination.